Selected local partners, including Sky and DTK, are already showing off systems built around the new Opteron quad-core processor, previously code-named Barcelona. AMD expects its other vendor partners, such as HP, IBM and Sun, to roll out their own quad-core systems within the next few weeks.

"With this release, AMD has maintained its position as the processing technology leader. The new Opteron quad-core CPU for servers will give enterprises almost twice the performance, without using more space, or more power," says Dr Gaith Kadir, general manager for the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan at AMD.

Kadir says AMD focused on maintaining the 90-watt power consumption level of its previous single and dual-core processor lines, effectively doubling CPU performance per watt with every new generation. Until this release, AMD had been playing catch-up to arch-rival Intel, which already has what it describes as a quad-core processor on the market. AMD is keen to point out that this is in fact two dual-core processors in one package - whereas AMD's new chip is an integrated quad-core system.

The Opteron chip is aimed at high-end server systems, for datacentres and other enterprise operations. Kadir says the firm's desktop quad-core offering - code-named Phenom - should be available by November this year.